Timed reading device having a moving script sheet and angularly adjustable index



Nov. 8, 1949 c. M. HOLLAND TIMED READING DEVICE HAVING A MOVING SCRIPT v SHEET AND ANGULARLY ADJUSTABLE INDEX Filed Feb. 5. 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 8, 1949 c. M. HOLLAND TIMED READING DEVICE HAVING- A MOVING SCRIPT SHEET AND ANGULARLI ADJUSTABLE INDEX 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 5, 1945 wlsh to (:0! your"! "'10" 1h me an a due rum Shortage of moiara'ols no father daliverlm or: inai bn yranied r11! IIIIIIIIIIIIIiII'III/Ill' I L/kw Patented Nov. 8, 1949 TIMED READING DEVICE HAVING A MOVING SCRIPT SHEET AND AN GULARLY ADJUST- ABLE INDEX Carl M. Holland, Chicago, Ill.

Application February 5, 1945, Serial No. 576,342

10 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a timed reading device and method for preparing and presenting a script for speaking delivery.

In delivering a speech or script to fill an allotted time period, such as for broadcasting or in connection with film being concurrently projected, it is quite common for the speaker to run under or over the time, or for the speaker not to keep in step with the projected film or pictures.

The rate of delivery of the average speaker is 125 words per minute. However, with some the rate is much higher. For example, it may run as high as 180 words per minute, While with others the rate may be lower than 125 words per minute, thus presenting a very wide range in the rate of delivery.

In the machine shown in my Patent No. 2,398,226, issued April 9, 1946, I propose there to meet and overcome this problem by producing a machine which causes the script sheet itself to pass a reading point in the machine at high, medium and low speed, as desired. However, with my present invention, the script sheet itself travels at the same speed at all times, while the machine itself and the script are arranged in combination to meet the different predetermined rates of delivery, not approximately, but with exactness.

Therefore, it is the principal object of my present invention to provide means and a method which will meet the different delivery rates, while the rate of travel of the sheet itself through the machine remains constant, It is a further object, over and beyond the objects set forth in the. above mentioned prior application, to simplify the construction of a timed reading or program device; to provide an improved and simplified arrangement for adjusting the reading time rate to the speech rate of the speaker; to provide readily operable selector means for connecting the record sheet feeding device to its self-contained driving mechanism or to a motion picture film projector for operation in synchronism with the latter; and to provide readily regulatable means for varying the record sheet feeding tens1on.

Other and further objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a device embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a view in vertical section taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view in vertical sec- 2 tion taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in vertical section taken substantially along the line 44 of Figure 6;

Figure 5 is a view in vertical section taken substantially along the line 5--5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a plan View of the device;

Figure 7 is a view in vertical section taken substantially along the line 'l--1 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view in vertical section taken substantially along the line 88 of Figure 6; and

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view in vertical section taken substantially along the line 9-9 of Figure 6.

As shown in Figure l, the timed reading device or program aid comprises a portable unit 2 consisting of a wooden box-like housing 4 having cover plates 6 and 8 hinged to the opposite side walls in. A metal plate I2 is secured to one end wall M of the housing, while a covered metal box or housing I6 is secured to the opposite end wall N3 of the wooden housing.

The speech, narrative, play, program or program instructions are typed or printed upon a wide sheet or web 20, e. g. 8% inches wide, wound as a roll on a supply roller 22 (Figure 8). In my machine, the reading matter on the rolls is arranged transversely of the script sheet or web, and so spaced that twelve lines, regardless of the length of the lines, will pass a reading point in the machine, which is always operated at a constant uniform speed, during a predetermined interval of time, preferably twelve lines per minute. Therefore, in preparing the script for a delivery rate, say of 180 words per minute, each block of 180 words is arranged or imposed upon the script in twelve transverse parallel lines evenly spaced, and each containing substantially the same number of words or characters. For other rates of delivery, the same formula is followed.

The supply roller 22 is received in the trough 24 of a metal plate, soldered or otherwise secured to the metal plate I2 and the metal box It (see Figure 2) and formed with a trough 25 to receive the take-up roll 28 which is similar to the supply roller 22, and a trough 33 about the friction drive roll 32.

The roller 22 may be keyed, or frictionally fitted, on an endwise detachable rod 34 (Figures 6 to 8) journaled in the wall plate l2 and the inner wall of the metal housing l6, and projecting therethrough. At one end the rod 34 is provided with a pull knob 36 so that it can be pulled out of the roller 22, and at its other end it engages an expanding friction spring 38 (Figure 6) mounted in the housing It to maintain the rod in position and apply rotation retarding resistance thereto.

The take-up roll 28 may be keyed or frictionally fitted on a rod 4!] (Figures 4 and 3) similarly journaled in thewall plate [2 and the inner wall of the housing I6, and projecting therethrough. At one end the rod Ml is provided with a pull knob 42 so that it can be pulled out of the roll 28 to permit withdrawal of the take= up roll. At its other end the rod lll extends into a sleeve 45 (Figures 4 and 6) journaled in a vertical end wall of the housing l6 and the end wall N5 of the housing 4. The sleeve 44 is provided intermediate its length'with'an' arcuate slot 45 (Figures 4 and 5) for receiving a friction clutch member 48 which is preferably a coil spring formed as a ring encompassing the sleeve l l fitting in the slot 46 and frictionally grasping the rod ll}. This spring, by slipping more and more, permits the take-up roll to slow down as the sheet winds thereon, and thus breakage of the sheet is prevented. A gear 59 is secured to the inner end of the sleeve.

The friction drive roll 32 is formed on a shaft 5? journaled in the end plate 12 and the inner wall-of the housing 16' and extending through the latter.

mom the feed roller 22, the speech or program sheet passes over a paper supporting surface or plate 54, over the friction drive roll 32 and to the take up roll 28, the surface 54 being preferably fiat and horizontally disposed.

r The sheet is maintained in engagement with the drive'roll 32 by a tensioning roll 56, the shaft 58 0f which is journaled at its opposite ends in plates 6%? (Figures 6, 8 and 9) which are soldered-o'r otherwisesecured to a rod, shaft or tube Gi l-journaled in the wall plate l2 and the inner wall of the housing 16.

"Ih'e' end of the rod 62, adjacent the housing I6, is hollow and receives a coil spring 64 having itsend 66 received in a radial opening in the rod 62 and projected at its other end from the rod and wound about and secured'to a pinor bolt 68 secured tothe innerwall' of the housing [6. Thetension roll 56 is raised to disengage the sheet, or permit the threading thereof, by rota tion of an operating knob 70'' (Figures 2 and 6) secured to one endof the shaft 58 and is returned to sheet engaging position by the spring 5 4;, the tension of which may be regulated or adjusted by releasing it from the pin 68 and giving the end of the spring one or more turns in either direction to increase or decrease its tension; The tension roll may be held in released position by a pressed-out button 69, in the plate izyengaging a dimple H, in the adjacent plate 6o- '...s A small electric motor or timer 12 of the synchronous type is mounted in any suitable mannerin the housing 16 with'its'drive shaft extending-vertically. A motor control switch 14 anda supply plug IS, for receiving the socket of a supply cord (not shown), are mounted in thee'dwall it of the housing 4 and appropriatelynonnected to the motor terminals;

The vertically extending shaft 18 of the motor: is provided 'with'a worm illl adapted to be engaged by 'a shiftably mountedwor'm "wheel 8? (Figures 6, 7 and'9) which is also'adapted' to fi's e' a ewe h zqnie' 1 .r; phi. s.

tioned shaft 86 journaled in a bracket 88 mounted on the housing of the motor 12, the shaft 86 being provided with a coupling member 90 and a housing sleeve 92 mounted in an opening in the rear wall ID of the main housing 4, and adapted to interfit with a suitable coupling (not shown) of a flexible cable 94 (Figure 6) adapted to extend from the reading device to a motion picture projector (not shown). *The flexible shaft 9d, which may be of any usual well kiziown construction, may be connected to a suitable, continuously rotating shaft of the motion picture projector, such, for example, as the shaft driving' the intermittent motion mechanism of the projectorfso that the shaft 86 of the reading device will be driven in synchronism with the driving of the film through the motion picture projector;

The worm Wheel 52 is pinned or keyed, as shown in Figure 9, to the inner sleeve 96 of a pair of interconnected sleeves and 93 slidably mounted on the shaft 52 'of' the drive "roll' 32, theinner sleeve'having a slot Hill for receiving a radial drive pin 192 carried by the "shaft 52; The sleeves E35 and 98 extend through the outer wall "of the housing l5 and the end wall I8 of the main housing A pull knoblll-ll is'keyed or pinned to the outer sleeve 98, so that 'the sleeves 9 6 anad Q8 may be pulled or pu'shed' endwise'to move the wormwvheel 82 selectively into engagement with thewvormtfi or the worm "85, thereby" causing the shaft 52 to be driven by th"motor"l2"'o r selectively by the flexible shaft connection to the motion picture film projector;

The shiftably mounted worm wheel 82 permits the motor to be startedand'brought up'to full speed before it, is connected to the 'feed ro11,--o that the feed roll, when the worm wheel is brought into engagement with either of the wormsywill start off at full speed. This assures that there will'b e no lag in the initial movement of the script. Thus the film with which the script. is-to be synchronized, or the script, maybe provided with suitable indi'cia of the time for starting 'ojr ending the feeding of thescript. It is of especial advantage in timing the material on the script with the material on a filnibeing projected. It is; similarly,'of especial advantage for timing the delivery of the different parts of the material included inthe script with other events or actions under the control of a program manager pr Inaster record of any kind. V

A gear I06 is also keyed to the shaft 52 and interrneshes with a gear Ill? which in'turn meshes with the gear 58 on the sleeve 46 for driving the take-uproll 28.

' A reading guide I08 preferably comprises a rod having 'a' reduced end portion I it loosely received a suitable opening in the inner wall of the metal housing 55 for angular adjustment in 1a horizontalplane parallel to the plane of the sheet or web 20 as it passes over the paper supporting plate 54. The rod Hi8 at its'oth'e'r end passes through a slot: I I2 (Fi r s) in the metal wan plate !2 and its rounded end'restsin or upon a soft or sponge rubber "pad"! l4 mounted "in" a slot in the end wall is of the main housing 4.

As indicated by the solid and dash lines Figure '3, the reading guide or rod H38 may be hand adjusted in a horizontal plane to different angular positions relative to the'parallel end Walls of the housing. It may, therefore be inclined at different angles to the lines of type or' reading matter on the record sheet. It is'in' cqrrcct 'po sition or inclination when it extends" from im mediately beneath the end letter of one line and the first letter of the next succeeding line, as shown in Figure 6.

The script is prepared after a time test is made to determine the speaking speed or delivery rate of the speaker. The result, expressed in words or syllables per minute, is divided by the rate of feed of the web in lines per minute to determine the number of words or syllables to be used in each line in the preparation of the script. A speaker whose rate of delivery is high or rapid will be given a script which has a relatively large number of words or syllables on each line, while the speaker whose delivery rate is low will be given a script having relatively few words or syllables per line. In either event the script will contain in each line a given number of words or syllables according to the delivery rate of the particular speaker and the constant feeding speed of the script in lines per minute.

The reading guide means, which is shown in the form of a rod, is angularly adjusted according to the length of the reading lines on the script, which have been laid out on the basis of a delivery rate of twelve lines per minute, so that when in operation, the reading rod is positioned with respect to the reading lines, with the left hand portion of the rod approximately below the first letters or characters of a line, while the opposite end of the readin guide or rod is so adjusted that it registers approximately below the last letters or characters of an immediately superimposed line. In the case of short lines, as would be the case with a slow speaker, the speaking guide rod will be inclined at a greater angle, thus requiring a longer time for any given reading line to pass the rod, notwithstanding the script is fed at a constant speed and at the same rate as when longer lines are imposed upon the script. In the case of a fast delivery rate, the speaking rod will be inclined at a lesser angle. As a result, any given reading line in its entirety will completely pass the reading guide means more rapidly, notwithstanding the script sheet is bein fed or moved at the same constant speed as when handling a script with relatively short lines of reading matter. The guide rod is angularly adjusted according to the reading speed thus predetermined and to the position as previously mentioned. In the case of a slow speaker, the rod will be inclined at a greater angle so that the words pass the rod more slowly, although the script is fed at the same rate, Whereas, in the case of a fast speaker, the rod will be inclined at a lesser angle so that the words pass the rod more rapidly for the same constant sheet feeding speed.

In operation, the speech or program heet, when prepared as above stated, is placed on the roll 22 which is then inserted in the trough 24 and the rod 34 introduced from the end 14 of the main housing into and through the roll. The sheet is then threaded between the guide surface and the reading rod I08, over the friction drive roll 32 and to the take-up roll 28.

Sufficient of the sheet is wound on the takeup roll to bring the first line of the first portion of the script to a position just in front of the reading guide. The tension roll is depressed to ten sion the sheet. The motor is started and at the proper instant the knob IE4 is pushed Or pulled to engage the worm wheel either with the worm 80 or the worm 84 and the sheet, accordingly, starts at full speed. The guide rod is quickly adjusted, while the first one or two lines are being read, to extend from beneath the last let- 6 ter of one line and the first letter of the following line. Thereafter the speaker need only read the words as they come up to the guide rod.

Thus, it will be clear that the speech or program sheet may be completely processed by the program manager or the speaker prior to the time the speech or program is to be delivered, and being properly processed, the complete speech or program will be delivered or performed within the allotted time as long as the speaker or each person involved in a particular program reads each word or sentence as it reaches the guide rod. It will be seen from the foregoing description that applicant has provided a timed reading or program device of simplified construction, including a simplified arrangement for adjusting the reading time rate to the speech rate of the speaker, operable selector means for connecting the record sheet feeding device to its self-contained driving mechanism or to a motion picture film projector for operation in synchronism with the latter, and readily regulatable means for varying the record sheet feeding tension.

It is also clear from the foregoing that applicant provides means for reeling a continuous web of sheet material, such as paper, at uniform tension and at a rotary speed decreasing in direct proportion to the increase in the size of the take-up roll.

t is apparent that many widely different embodiments of this invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and, therefore, it is not intended to be limited except as indicated in the appended claims, in which the word program is used as signifying a speech, a play or other performance, a set of program directions, or any other matter to be orally presented or performed within a limited time.

What I claim is:

1. A machine of the class described comprising in combination, a script sheet having script lines perpendicular to its length, means for feeding the script sheet past a reading point at a constant rate, and a reading guide positioned at an angle transversely of and across the script sheet and inclined from left to right in the direction of movement of the script sheet, and angularly adjustable to permit reading of script lines of varying lengths on the script sheet while the speed of travel of the script sheet remains constant.

2. A machine of the class described comprising in combination, a script sheet for receiving substantially uniform parallel spaced readin lines of varying lengths, means for feeding the script sheet past a reading point at a constant predetermin d rate of speed, and an adjustable reading guide member positioned at an angle transversely of the script sheet, having one end portion of the reading guide member approximately below the end letter of one line, with its opposite end so mounted as to be adjusted approximately below the opposite end letters of a corresponding adjacent line of various lengths, to accommodate speakers of different rates of delivery without changing the feed rate of the script sheet.

3. A machine of the class described comprising a relatively wide script sheet carrying a plurality of spaced parallel reading lines of substantially uniform length transversely of the script sheet, the length of the lines being arranged so as to provide a predetermined number Of lines to correspond with a predetermined speaking delivery rate for a predetermined interval of time, means aeeaaea,

9 feeding the scr t pas e readin poin at a constant uniform speed, and means providing a reading guide extending across the script sheet an at an acute angle with respect to the readins ines of e scr t shee a d ansul y justable to the same'relative position with respeet to reading lines of varying lengths on the script to accommodate speakers of difierent rates of delivery without changing the feed rate of the scrip 5 8613.

4, A program time rate-controller comprising a uniform speed timer, means operated by the timer for feeding the copy of the'program at a uniform rate, and an angularly adjustable index means extending at an obliqueangle across the space for the couy to indi ate the parts Of t e program at a desired rate sequence determined by ad ustment of said nde m ans;

5-. A p o ram t e rete ove n dev ce e prisine means for d g a c y of a am, means providing an index mark extending at an oblique angle across the space for the copy and inclined from left to right in the direction of feed of the copy whereby the marl:v successively indicates the Words of the copy to be read; said index providing means being anguiarly adjustable with respect to the words of the COpy to nred term ne e ad u men of said means, th rate at which the Words of the copy successively pass said indexing mark.

6. A timed reading device comprising means for feeding at a uniform rate a predeterminedlength copy of a narrative to. be read, and means providing an indexing line past which thev copy is, fed by. the feeding means, said indexing line being inclined from left to. right in the direction oi m vement of the co y er y e Words o the copy co c ively a s. sa ine, said ind X providing means being mounted for adjustment to vary the angles of inclination of said indexing line to ca se, adjustme movement f the wor s. past the n i m rk. t a ra e on ming to he speech r e o t e. s a

a imed reading deviee, ompr si a supply rol ad pted to receive a web f m eria carrying a copy of the program to be read, means er eed g he Web. from the supp y roll and includ n a t ke-up ro l for re v the web, a reading guide extending transversely of the we as t pass s rom. t e u pl ol to he ta eup roll said u de rov d n a ex ar er inclined from left to right in the direction of feeding 9i the web wh r by u e ive pa ts f the copy are consecutively indexed, and said guide he n adiustably moun ed. t vary e an of in lination Of said mar er to. predetermi e the rate at which s i p r s o the copy re, nde ed- 8. A self-contained timed reading device comprisin in combination an elongated casing, a longitudinally extending supply roll for a flexible sheet rote ab y mou d n t e upper portions! roll to the take-up roll, an electric motor mount 5 ed on one end of said casing, driving means interposed between the motor and saidfeedingmeans for driving said feeding means, take-.ofi means in said casing adapted to be connected to a film projector to drive said feeding means, and a selectively operable connecting means for selec: tively connecting said motor or said take-off means to said feeding means to drive the same.

9. A program time-rate controller comprising means adapted to feed a sheet at a uniform rate, a program sheet containing a plurality of lines of reading matter extendin substantially atright angles to the direction of feed of the sheet line being of a length predetermined by the speech rate of a speaker and the uniform rate of feed of the sheet by said means, and a reading guide extendin transversely across the sheet at an acute angle with respect to the lines of read-.- ing matter and attached to be angularly adjusted to extend between the beginning of one line and the end of the preceding line on various lengths of lines.

10. A program time-rate controller comprising means adapted to feed a sheet at a uniform rate, a program sheet containing a plurality of lines of reading matter, each of a length predetermined by the speech rate of the speaker and the uniform rate of feed of the sheet by said means, and adjustable index means past which the copy is fed by the sheet feeding means, said index means being adjusted to extend from the end of one line of reading matter on the sheet to the b ginning of th ex l e of readin matter on said sheet.

CARL M. HOLLAND- REFERENCES CITED The following references are 0i record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 281,684 Gill July 24, 1883 909,798 Hoffman June 12, 1909 961,288 Cullman June 14, 1910 1,236,565 Hubschrnitt Aug. 14, 1917 1,346,758 Meador July 13, 1920 1,488,459 Biggs et al Mar. 25, 1924 1,569,946 Buettner ct al Jan, 19, 19 2 6 1,965,906 Pettingell July 10,; 1934 2,188,210 Smith -V Jan. 23, 1940 

